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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A state proposal that would roll out strict safety standards for California porn productions to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases has drawn criticism from adult film workers who feel the regulations go too far.
The 21-page draft proposed by the state's Division of Occupational Safety and Health calls for condoms or other barriers — including protective eye gear — to be used in sex scenes and also requires producers to pay for medical visits and hepatitis B vaccines for adult film performers, the Los Angeles Daily News (http://bit.ly/1IVWY8b) reported Monday.
During a public comment period that ended Thursday in San Diego, critics said the regulations could hurt the industry and make films less appealing for customers.
"These are regulations designed for medical settings, and are unworkable on an adult film set — or even a Hollywood film set," Diane Duke, CEO of the Canoga Park-based Free Speech Coalition, said.
The industry wants a chance to provide input so the regulations won't stigmatize the industry, damage business or force producers underground or out of state.
The proposed regulations are a response to a letter sent to the state agency in 2009 by the executive director of AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
In the letter, Michael Weinstein said that although the state required condom use in adult film production, the industry had been able to avoid the rules because of lax enforcement.
The new regulations would specifically refer to condoms as a way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
In 2012, Weinstein's group supported a successful ballot measure that made condoms mandatory on all adult film shoots in Los Angeles County.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation is now working to get a statewide measure on next year's ballot to strengthen mandates under state occupational and health agencies.
"Getting to this point is a necessary part of the process, and we're pleased that this has been completed," Weinstein said of the new proposal. "The process is designed to give everybody a say. I think it was conducted fairly."
The board will take action on the proposal no later than March 2016.
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